Yet the older generation buck the trend: 63 per cent of those aged 55 to 64, and 31 per cent of over 65s are actively chasing after their career goals.

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The study found that the over 55s still have high hopes of landing their dream job, with nearly half willing to volunteer, take a course, re-train or re-locate in order to make this happen.

The most cited dream jobs of the over 55s are not dissimilar to those found on a child’s list. The most popular jobs include: writer, scientist, actor, historian, entrepreneur and footballer, amongst others.

Chartered psychologist Dr Simon Moore said: “Given people have greater life expectancies there is an accompanying change in perceptions about life long jobs. Many of us are now working for longer which means that we have more ‘career’ opportunities open to us later in life than previous generations.

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This greater ‘opportunity’ combination impacts how we deal with our careers. I think many older adults, having established families that have left the nest and having paid off large chunks of their mortgages are now much ‘freer’ to think about taking on new challenges. The psychological release from commitments and dependents that may have tied their choices down twenty or thirty years ago, now acts as a stimulus to undertake activities that are more enjoyable or relevant.”

The research also found that after age, the most common reason given by those who have not yet fulfilled their career dream is money.

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